Windsor's mayor doesn't want people to get burned when it comes to "pot tourism".
Mayor Drew Dilkens had an opportunity this week to talk to federal lawmakers about the upcoming legalization of marijuana for recreational use. He participated in a video conference with a Canadian Senate committee concerning Bill C-45, or the Cannabis Act.
The focus of the discussion was on how the new pot laws will affect border cities like Windsor, which expect an influx of visitors from the U.S. wanting to take advantage of the new marijuana laws.
Dilkens tells BlackburnNewsWindsor.com his biggest worry is that those who visit the area from the U.S. to experience the legal use of recreational weed may not be aware of the laws and responsibilities that will come with it. He says that could turn a leisurely trip into a huge hassle.
"What we don't want is to make criminals out of people doing something legally," says Dilkens. "That was my message to the Senate. That we need to educate people, so that if they're coming over here for cannabis tourism, they have to know what the laws are, what the rules are. We don't want people to have a bad experience."
Dilkens says it's important for people to understand that marijuana laws are different between the two countries. His primary concern is that any confusion "pot tourists" may have over the laws may get them into hot water at the border checkpoint.
"In Michigan today, medicinal marijuana is legal. Medicinal marijuana is legal here in Canada," says Dilkens. "But what people don't understand is that federal law in the United States considers marijuana a Schedule I drug, which is the same category and the same schedule as LSD, cocaine, and heroin."
Dilkens says even those with a medical marijuana licence who purchase recreational pot in Canada may get in trouble once they try to enter the U.S. The mayor says U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents may ask commuters if they've consumed marijuana in the past, and for those who say yes, it could result in denial of a NEXUS trusted-traveler card application or even a ban on entering the U.S. without getting a costly waiver.
Windsor is already in the first round of Ontario cities getting a recreational cannabis store. Windsor Police Chief Al Frederick has already expressed concern about the strain the novelty may bring to law enforcement.
Several Ontario communities have chosen locations for their cannabis stores, though Windsor has not yet done so.
The Cannabis Act is scheduled to take effect on July 1.
